Darrel Nonaka tried to lift 600 pounds Saturday in the Best Lifts classification at the First Garden Island Powerlifting Competition at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center. He failed, but was voted the Best Inspirational Lifter of the match. “This is the
Darrel Nonaka tried to lift 600 pounds Saturday in the Best Lifts classification at the First Garden Island Powerlifting Competition at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
He failed, but was voted the Best Inspirational Lifter of the match.
“This is the first powerlifting competition in more than 20 years,” said event coordinator Randy Ortiz said. “Roland Sagum, a former powerlifter and one of the judges, said he coordinated one back in the 80s at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. That was the last one on Kauai.”
Nonaka topped the 198-pound class followed by A.J. Remigio and Hinano Jarimillo.
Jennifer Ingersol was the sole woman competitor and took the 148-pound class.
Derrick Soma topped the Masters class at the meet which drew 15 lifters from around the island.
Ray Storm topped the 181-pound class followed by Jomar Domingo in second place.
Dalton Christy topped the 220-pound class, and Hoku Dusenberry Lee, competing in the Hawaii state meet on Oahu, April 25, getting the 242-pound class. Dusenberry Lee also captured the Best Dead Lift at 550 pounds.
Jordan Niau Kanahele topped the Super Heavyweight, 308-pound class before capturing two awards in the Best Lifts competition. He had the Best Bench Lift at 440 pounds and the Best Squat at 585 pounds.
Ortiz said the panel of judges was headed up by Stephanie Whiting, recently moving to Kauai after a career of competing in 71 USAPL and ADPFA full powerlifting meets with Best Lifts at 105-pound class, Squat at 210 pounds, Bench at 121 pounds, and Deadlift at 237 pounds.
She was joined by Sagum and Deputy County Engineer Lyle Tabata, both former powerlifters.
Pleased with the participation, Ortiz said he and Pascua will be looking at hosting another more formal powerlifting competition later in the year. He said they are also looking at hosting a bodybuilding competition in October as well.
“This was a bit informal,” Ortiz said. “We didn’t do all of the things they do in sanctioned meets, but it was to get a feel for the powerlifting crowd. We’re definitely looking at tightening things up for the meet later this fall.”
